P.M. BRIEFING : British Press OKs Ethics Code

Britain’s national newspapers published a code of conduct today aimed at reviving the battered public image of the press and heading off government controls on reporting.

The five-point code, agreed upon by editors of up-market heavyweights and racy tabloids alike, said intrusion into private lives must always be justified by public interest.

In addition to the code, every paper pledged to set up a system to investigate complaints.

The British press has been increasingly accused by both the public and the government of intruding into privacy. Earlier this month an editor was fired for printing front-page color pictures of Prince Charles’ son, Prince William, urinating in a park.